The Wayfarer

Dragoncon

2008-09-07T04:09:24Z

Had a lot of fun in Hotlanta. Dragoncon was its usual chaotic self. Somehow I didn't remember HOW many costumes were in play. They have added a much enhanced live music track compared to the past. Ended up catching about 4 different bands, including the new lineup from Cruxshadows. My reaction is sorta.... "eh" (to quote a certain Canadian)

Too much of their performance is backtracked. One of the two violinists spent more time dancing than playing. (which tells me that the two haven't got their timing down yet) With the layered synth tracks they are backtracking one and playing the other. (plus they have no bass or drummer so ALL of the low end is pre-recorded) Still nice music, and the vox are certainly live...

Ego Likeness and Helblinki were cool as well. I guess I will replace Lunacon with Dragoncon next year. (sigh) I still don't know where I am going to be next year.

Shared a room this year in the Hilton, hopefully next year will be a little more organized. My roomate Sarah was a nice lady, but I hate sleeping on the floor... :p

redwolfexr @ 2008-08-01T19:05:00

2008-08-01T23:15:48Z

The boring middle of the contract is still going strong.

Decided to do Dragoncon in Atlanta this year, though its going to be a bit more expensive because I waited so long to decide. At least the flight is cheap. (and isn't THAT odd to say with a straight face these days) If I can find a room, anyhow.

Found a dent at the top of the liftgate on my rover-- probably from backing too far back in the parking garage. Likely stuck with it since it looks like its part of the rear structure protecting the rear seats in a roll and not easy to repeair. Will have to have it retouched though, since the paint was damaged at the bend.

All three of my regular friends that do the same job as I do have been moved to Dallas by Ericsson. I have the suspicion I may be headed back there at the end of the contract here in November. (you never know though) No per diem, but no hotel bills. Probably a wash with the IRS collecting what I would spend at a hotel...

Merry Morning, Mr Pine

2008-04-22T17:58:46Z

Went to see Eisley last night, and the title is a lyric from one of their more "out there" tunes. I was actually more excited to see Vedera than Eisley since I have seen a lot of Eisley over the years -- they are from my area of East Texas and started up playing a lot on Dallas when I lived there.

Apparently DC has a no smoking ordinance since the only thing polluting the air in there was the fog machine they had going full time in the light rack. Can't say I mind, and I suspect the band didn't mind either. (beats a few shows at Trees in Dallas where it wasn't all tobacco that was fuming up the place) Heh, Virginia has as many cigars in some bars as cigarettes -- makes for coming home and taking a shower before bed, it does. Can't imagine how bad it would be if I had long hair... ick.

Lights drove me crazy though, the club seemed to think backlights were the way to go, the front lights were an odd mix of gel cans. (simple lights with a coloured film across the front) Magenta and Yellow, but no Cyan to balance it. (the three together make a diffused white light) I am sure the bands are happier with the lighting behind them, but I prefer to see who is playing better. I would almost suspect its to defeat photographers -- the permanent signage at the entrance about cameras was ignored, which makes sense since Eisley has never had a problem with cameras at all. I don't usually do comments on lighting but it bugged me - I hung lights a few times in college.

Reminds me of a show I left in Dallas because some security goon grabbed me when I pulled out my phone to see what time it was. Just annoyed the #$%# out of me, since I wasn't holding it up to take pictures or anything. Japanese labels have a real thing against people taking pictures of their acts performance - since they sell autographs. Seems to me that they ought to wait until someone does before laying hands on them. It was a convention "free" show so I just left.

Hopefully Vedera will do another tour sometime where they can do a full set. The Envy Corps wasn't bad either. I have seriously missed decent live music -- not enough to drive regularly 2 hours into DC though.

The blahs

2008-04-16T19:24:50Z

Entering that boring middle of an O&M project... the techs pretty much have a good handle on the support requirements and no longer need much hand-holding. There is always that possibility that something really tricky can come up, but mostly its pretty boring. Not early enough to start looking for a new project for when yours ends, either.

Probably time to take a vacation, which somehow seems a bit off since I am not exactly working hard NOW. Change of scenery more than anything I guess. Richmond is definitely a distinguished old town - but its also pretty darn boring for live music and anything but a straight "House" dance scene.

Just a bit of catchup

2008-03-08T06:25:12Z

Well, ended up getting an offer I couldn't refuse - so to speak.

I ended up getting a direct contract in Richmond Virginia for a year starting last November. With a slight detour down to Miami and the keys for 2 weeks of support. Have been in Virginia a bit over 3 months now. Rented an empty apartment downtown and bought a few basic furniture items and moved in. (bought a not-so-basic HD Plasma TV, which doubles as a display monitor for the PC, too)

Sold my Jetta to a fellow in WA, and bought a Land Rover to replace it - needed more space and the offroad capability. Honestly needed it back when I left Boston in 2006. Both Nashville and Little Rock had some challenging cell site roads. Virginia isn't that bad, so far.

Mexico

2007-10-03T17:43:06Z

Sounds like I may end up in Mexico City doing RBS integrations. We will see if they come through with an offer. Then I have to figure out what to import and work on the paperwork and legal issues as well as finally set up mailbox instead of the current "whenever I get to Dallas" method thats in place now.

Contract Blues

2007-09-26T22:17:11Z

Its always a bit exciting towards the end of a contract. Rumours abound about new work, everyone starts calling you -- recruiters from resume postings and other friends who are also ending soon. Add to the mess that the customer (that would be AT&T) is considering another contract after this one. We were stop-lossed this week while they figure it all out.

I actually prefer clean endings to the drag-on. Makes it hard to know if you can take a new job if offered when you are in this type of limbo. Then all they have to do is say "no thanks" in a few weeks and we get dropped with no warning. Last week I could job hunt with a firm available date, now its a bit trickier. (since I am Ericsson specialized it behooves me to play nice when directly contracted-- on turnkey projects its not a big deal)

---

Just sent my passport off to be renewed, feel sorta nekkid without it. (it went expedited and overnight) Friend on contract in the Carribean invited me down to the DR, but may have to miss that. Its hard to plan vacations (was thinking about Belgium as well) around the current work fluctuations anyhow.

---

Just added a microamp to my PC audio system, the Corda Move (http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/) and it makes a very noticable listening difference.

Death

2007-05-14T17:22:24Z

Been a while since I posted, but things have been a bit chaotic lately.

My father has been ill for some time, and finally passed away Sunday about 3 hours after I left the hospital to come back to Memphis to work. I have to head back in a few days to attend the funeral and legal issues.

They had predicted he wouldn't live more than a week or two but since he wasn't comfortable with some of the breathing machines they didn' force him to use them and so he lasted days instead. Personally I suspect the last sedative shot they gave him before I left was intentionally a bit strong and he never woke up. I certainly wasn't surprised to get a call a few hours later anyway.

So now I am as close as I get to survivors guilt, even knowing darn well its not justified. My father and I were not that "close" as many would term it. I visited regularly and talked on the phone with them at about the same interval. He was 80 with a bad heart/lung issue and his kidneys were failing, so it truly WAS a blessing -- he hasn't been able to breath well for months. (we won't go into my irritation with their General Practitioner (MD) who didn't tell my parents that dad was terminal a month ago and left it for the cardiologist to do 3 days before he died)

Running in Place

2007-02-13T23:11:09Z

Took a vacation last month to Mexico City to attend a friends wedding. Had a lot of fun, and his family was very friendly and made sure the gringo didn't get in any trouble. Only the bride and groom and the grooms father spoke English fluently, alas. (and I don't speak Spanish)

Anyway, good times were had and much alcohol was drunk, and the knot was tied. :) Angel's wife is joining him this week and they are going to come over from Nashville and we are going to visit Graceland. (note: on my own I would have finished this year in Memphis and never visited )

Had a bit of an issue with my company over the time away from work and in the end didn't get paid for it as I had expected. It was a misunderstanding but the company made a much bigger issue out of it than was needed, not sure I plan to stay with them after this contract after that. We will see, have until October to get it sorted.

Painted part of my living area (room isn't the right term) a dark blue since I went back to Dallas for the weekend. Still going to need another coat though, have to get it next trip. At least the primer coat only needed 2 hours to dry. Thinking quite seriously about taking my 8 foot dividing wall out, which is a good idea for the space but it makes no sense spending that much (would end up re-flooring it too) when I only spend the random weekend here and there in the space. Paint is cheap, I can justify THAT part.

--
Taxes were good to me this year thanks to my contract in Boston and its high per-diem rate. Now I just have to keep an actual driving log this year....

A lot more nothing

2007-01-04T01:00:28Z

The last few months have just blended together. I have regressed back to a Vampire, and haven't been going out much.

O&M contracts are steady but boring work. Its nice to be working, but the cabinets I maintain just don't fail much. I did go home for a few days at Christmas, but other than that I am mainly being an "apartment rat" in Memphis and playing games at night.

There is a nice Irish-style pub a block away that has a decent menu of food, as well as decent beer though.

---

Laptops and stuff

2006-09-30T06:02:57Z

Well its been a hectic week, my laptop locked up last night and I haven't had much sleep since. I managed to get the darn thing back up far enough in safe mode to remove all the stuff that I needed. Now its just doing the Dell Dance to get them to admit that the HD might indeed be bad.

I was offered the O&M position (1 year) in Louisville KY, but of course there was no way that the PM here was going to let that go. His boss stepped on that pretty fast and I ended up losing another of my team to it instead. I am almost guaranteed the Nashville position though, since I was first pick for Louisville. The guy that got it deserves it, and I will get to finish this market. The joys of team lead.

Is it still procrastinating to have a laptop in a coma? (I guess sorta, since I have access to the files on this PC now -- I just hate doing work on my "play" machine)

Hmm, guess I know what I am doing tomorrow. (said that yestiddy too, mind you)

Another day, another batch of paperwork

2006-09-24T20:15:41Z

I am officially procrastinating by doing this.

Spent the last hour or so doing paperwork (more like filing it, but work with me here) and I am about to go for a change of Venue. There has to be someplace else to do this than my room.

I just got my car back after a week in the "hospital" for major power loss, check engine light(itis?) and replacement of the timing belt. I had the first two issues looked at in Dallas the other week at Park Cities VW and they replaced a module or two, charged me $300 and sent me on my way.

Hallmark in Madison TN kept it a week, cleaned out the intakes, replaced the belts, MAF sensor, vacuum lines, and in general actually fixed it. They also paid for the rental (it was from them) for taking a week instead of 2 days to fix. Rental was a new Passat, fun to drive but I was actually glad to get mine back. The change is quite dramatic and that $1200 will probably cover major maintainance for the next few years. (all of that work is typically needed around 100K, and mine has 125K) There was a bit of a rough idle that the tech was trying to run down and they never found it. Only thought was that it might be the injector pump but thats another $1400 to fix and he said that unlike the timing belt if it goes out it won't damage anything else so its definitely a case of running it until the wheels fall off. :)

Well, I am off for that change of Venue I was mentioning.

Playing catchup again

2006-09-17T17:37:49Z

For my sins I have made Lead in Nashville. It has been the great timesink, so my posting has been even more behind than it was before.

I was scheduled and contracted to go to Puerto Rico for 2 months, but that one fell through due to contract issues between my company and Ericsson. (helped in Large part because TNS didn't want to replace me in Nashville. I was actually on my way to Dallas to leave when it was cancelled. As far as I know they are only sending one person now, so when Nashville market finishes I guess I need to fly down to San Juan and beat the #$%# out of Dan Roberts... :)

So for now I am back in Music City, and there is a good chance I will be here for the maintainacnce contrct as well.

As long as I don't have to go back to Memphis.

redwolfexr @ 2006-07-14T21:32:00

2006-07-15T01:51:36Z

Q: On a stormy Friday night with flooding, power failures and other chaos how do you get 7+ police officers and a paramedic to show up without use of heavy weapons?

A: Call in a nude woman wandering the parking lot.

I know my blog has been a bit sparse lately but as the manager at the store said "I am so blogging this when I get home." Lady walks in and asks the manager if this was the Tree of Life. The woman is short, and there is a barrier that is almost as tall as she was from the managers perspective so the manager couldn't see below her neck. After she leaves a customer comes in and comments that she never saw a naked woman leave a Borders before... I didn't see her myself as I was on the other side of the new arrivals rack.

Apparently she drove around the lot until the police arrived and blocker her in.... right behind my car. Soon another marked car shows up, then an unmarked car arrives with 4 officers in it, then another patrol with a female officer in it. Next a lot of talking with the blocked in car ensues whilst the officers wait for.... the ambulance to arrive with sheets. After this the officers convince her to come out of the car and wrap her in a sheet and put her in a car. She apparently starts taking the sheet off so they move her from THAT car to the female officers.

It gets better, apparently the Borders has a brand new and quite high quality video camera monitoring the door with a perfect aim at where she was apparently standing. You *know* that video is going to get around Borders Corporate... I almost feel sorry for the new manager who was closing for the first time tonight.

Some things are just too bizarre to make up. And there was a Krispy Kreme on the other side of the parking lot too, so all the officers showing up was just priceless.

---

In Louisville KY as of Monday, contract in Boston came to an abrupt ending. 2 hours notice, even. Mainly the contract extension everyone thought was all but automatic wasn't quite. They didn't decide that until 5 days past the end of the original one, so things got a bit nervous. Now I am working the Louisville/Nashville/Memphis project. Still a bit slow, probably wouldn't have been dropped in here except for the lack of notice and the fact that my contract company wanted us to stay with them.

Will try to enter more a bit later, to get things caught up.

redwolfexr @ 2006-06-12T00:52:00

2006-06-12T05:01:35Z

Let me just point out that Dallas is a lot hotter than Boston.

This was made QUITE apparent to me when I got off the plane Thurday. And more so when I got home and discovered that apparently my AC needs to be fixed. (probably just needs Freon)

On the plus side my new neighbor has apparently not heard about wireless security. Thanks Rob! (thats the name on his wireless access point, so guessing thats his name) Since I killed Comcast Internet when I went to Boston thats helpful for these little visits. Typically my basic cable service is still going.

Spent as much time at the Con (more on that later) as I could and decided not to bother cooking anything. I have been visiting my usual diner and Cafe Brazil regularly instead. Bought a fan as well, for what good its doing.

Tomorrow is dental and parental visits.

redwolfexr @ 2006-06-02T20:42:00

2006-06-03T02:06:23Z

My ipod is still broken, new screen just lights up and stays blank. Tried to reload factory software and it crashed in the middle and has stayed dead since. While I was looking at replacements I ran into one of the Applehaters (I shade towards that end of the spectrum as well, mind you) who tried to tell me how evil iTunes and iPods are. This sort of dovetails into a few chats I have been having on the Baen forum about DRM on books. Decided I was in the mood to essay, or was that lecture? Anyhow....

(for the uninformed: DRM is Digital Rights Management, and basically refers to "locks" that restrict usage of media files)

Why DRM works for music and not for books:

Apple started the whole thing with a genuinely superior product, the iPod. Its still superior for its price, especially in HDD based nodels. They coupled that with a easy to use music library/store and a moderately open platform that could play quite a few formats. To USE these players customers had to RIP their CDs creating a digital file. Thats nothing new, people were already doing that anyhow.

Enter iTunes, the record companies flocked to join, since now customers are buying the same music in a DRM locked format that can be played in those same players INSTEAD of a non-DRM easily copied CD. Since the open formats are out there and the record companies would rather you buy the DRM ones they are willing to undercut the price of the CD. Suddenly you have a cheaper way to get the same product, with the exception of that DRM. Now, for those who really care to get around the DRM you can easily do so *within* iTunes itself by burning a CD of your new music. In fact you should anyway since Apple refuses to let you download anything you might lose in a PC failure.

So what you have is a hardware/distribution system that the record companies themselves have a vested interest in perpetuating. It provides more DRM than exists in its alternative but the true anti-DRM zealots can legally get around it to an extent. Only people who aren't "happy" are the audiophiles and, well, they aren't ever really happy anyhow.

So, lets look at book publishers.

They have a product that is very hard to duplicate electronically. It gives them a negative incentive to introduce electronic forms. Only pressure from customers and some competitors even makes these fellows consider the idea. Add that nobody has come up with the ebook reader equivalent of an ipod, and there is even more lack of motivation. This makes the publishers in general very reluctant to release ANYthing without heavy-handed DRM.

We have had multiple attempts, each with its own version of DRM that is not compatible with the others. The owners of these systems are not willing to allow a multi-source reader or in cases they are there is no distributor willing to close the gap and pay for its development. What you end up with is a back library in many formats with customers in each format that would wish to carry their formats to a new platform.

What someone should point out to the publishers (except Baen) is that iTunes works by underpricing their equivalent non-DRM versions. Its important to note that there IS no such thing as a paperback and a hardcover ebook. You are paying for the contents not the package. Baen was recently working on distribution agreements for several major publishers and the companies pulled back based on lack of DRM and wanted to charge a higher price for the e-versions than the mail order companies were charging. An eBook version that was not-printable, could not be Text-to-speeched and could not be sold for its residual value like a hardcopy for a premium over the HARDCOVER price. Guys, its not about making even more money off the sale -- its about making it in the first place. Its not like they are paying the printing costs per ebook after all.

DRM works for music because its customers either don't care since it is mostly transparent or they can bypass it. After at least 8 failed or struggling DRM ebook formats the customers won't trust a DRM format to stay alive. The currently in-use DRM eBook formats are FAR more restrictive than the musical formats: reinstall your reader software (or buy a new PC) and you often have to redownload ALL of your books. iTunes made their product a one time download, and a burnable one. Sellers of DRM-locked books have to maintain a "bookshelf" so you can reaquire product, and in fact that has become a standard to the point I doubt any new ebook seller could survive without providing it.

The publishers are being dragged in kicking and screaming, but has anyone pointed out that as easy as the CD is to burn it hasn't exactly put the record companies out of business? Already there are smaller presses converting to primarily ebook publishers.

Personally I will buy DRMed books because my jobs nature makes them worth the headaches. I already have abandoned several formats of DRM, would rather buy a paper copy than use Adobe or Palm. Prefer Mobipocket by far to Microsoft, even though Secure-Mobipocket is one of the ones that require you to re-download files when you change PCs. I still buy at least twice as many books in non-secure formats, and I am willing to explore a new author non-secure but won't deal with the DRM otherwise. (I still run across files on my PDA that are locked to my previous handheld since I am using the same SD card)

---------

Okay rant done. I give it 10-20 years before more music and books are legally distributed by the authors/musicians electronically than the publishers/record companies sell.

I am actually surprised iTunes/Rhapsody/Napster/ect... aren't distributing more true independants already.

Ramblin'

2006-05-31T07:37:18Z

Broke the screen on my Ipod the other day, by slamming the trunk on it. (sigh) Found a replacement screen for $70, just have to wait for it to get here. At least the thing still works, even if the screen is blank.

Starting to get the usual antsy feeling I get when my contract starts winding down.

Decided to add a roof rack to my car instead of getting a larger vehicle to haul stuff around the US. I am basically happy with the Jetta and there just aren't that many comparable (larger) TDIs available. I only need the additional cargo capacity when I move cities anyhow.

There and Back Again

2006-05-24T21:39:29Z

Finalized my trip back to Dallas for Project A-Kon. Heading there on Jun8 and back again on Jun13.

Of course my contract here in Boston officially ends on the 27th on June, so I may not be here all that long when I get back. (this depends on whether Cingular extends it, which is possible)

Trying to get all the stuff I want to do in Dallas organized, I haven't been home since December. Top of the list is my Dentist wanting to do a cleaning and check whether my bridge is still where its supposed to be.

---

I have been sending out notices about this blog all over the place, so if you just found it.... welcome. Not that its the most exciting place about, but exciting isn't always as much fun as you would think. :)

Adventures in beantown

2006-05-17T09:47:50Z

When the trooper asked if I had hipwaders with me I took it as a bad sign.

Two hours getting to a site detouring around a closed highway, and it ended up to be dead center of the part that was closed. It was definitely one of THOSE days. "we lost connection to the site" doesn't begin to cover it.... Try 2' or more of water AND no power. (generator was flooded as well, and I don't mean the carburator)

After I turned in my report the reply back from Cingular was "we knew about this site, sorry you guys were sent out...ect" Heh. Not complaining, hadn't been out all day up until that call.

--

Last night I decided to go find a diner, this is the Northeastern US, a major town and all.... right?

Apparently all the diners in Boston (but one) close at night. Research has located one diner, one IHOP and one Dennys in the metro of Boston. Oh yeah, and a lot of Dunkin Donuts that are 24hour. I now really understand the donut shop jokes, its not like the cops have any OTHER options to take a break. I decided to find the one diner last night. (its downtown and a pain to get to, I discovered) Waitresses were cute though, which put it a few steps up from the diners I generally frequent in Dallas.

They have a digital jukebox and when I was there it was before the bar-rush so there weren't that many customers. The waitresses put on Mr Mestopholes from CATS and I think everyone in the place knew the words. Even got me to to singing, fortunately they had the speakers up loud and I didn't chase away all the rest of the customers. I didn't get up and try to dance the number, either.

---

Paid my first parking ticket last night. Still annoyed, the meter cop must have been birdogging it since I almost made it back in time.

I begin to understand why my friends who live here want to leave, and my friend who USED to live here talks so negatively about it.

Rain rain go away!

2006-05-14T19:38:17Z

Its been a really dreary weekend up here in Red Sox country. The storm drain at my house drains right below my bedroom so on days like this I don't even stir much. I have been wandering the boards and reading on my laptop from bed today and debating what to do.

I went out Friday to central square and got pretty soaked, ended up in a bar that was playing 80s stuff with a pretty mixed crowd. I decided not to do that again last night regardless of how much I felt like being more social.

I have a "thing" about drinking and driving, so I mostly take the T when I go out. Not to mention the parking issues in Boston.

---

Feeling my isolation more than normal today, called a few co-workers and friends. I guess its time to send out a few more invites to this journal. Think I need to take some more pictures too.

we join a technical neep already in progress...

2006-05-08T03:02:22Z

Had an interesting conversation with a MEMS engineer earlier today that I met on a bus. :)

Over the years I have worked in a lot of different fields as a Field tech. I started in Postal Automation (optical sorting), moved to Automated semiconductor equipment (robotics, pumps, temp sensors and controls), MEMs (hydraulics, vacuum pumps, electronic controls), Parking (solenoids, sensors, CCTV, networking), Postal Automation (mechanical insertion this time) and finally in Cellular (networking and software loads, RF troubleshooting, data circuits.)

When you really look at the generalities you realize that all techs in the end do the same thing. One reason that techs can jump from one field to another is that it all really boils down to automation of one thing or another. Whether its sending a data packet from a cell phone, a car trying to get into a garage or sticking stuff in an envelope its still using technology the same way. Every subfield has its own terminology and ways of approaching things, and that is what a "new" tech learns in a different field. What to call the controls, and what we are moving.

This has been your local bored tech rambling....

----

Hmm. A smart guard. Didn't see THAT coming.

Time

2006-04-26T16:44:26Z

Work has been pretty slow, only the fact that my base hours are guaranteed makes it affordable to stay here. Time has been moving slowly, only the fact that I have developed a semi-schedule has kept me "sane" as such. For a while I was living the vampire life, sleeping days and playing games on the PC all night.

Monday is timesheets, Wednesday is Top Chef (can't cook, no idea how this happened) and Friday is dinner with Elaine and Sharky. Heh, its the only way I can mark the passage of time. I have been making myself get out more since I kicked the vampire habit.

If I haven't mentioned it in my LJ yet, I think the Keurig coffee machine is the best thing since the motorcycle. No idea why I mention that now, but those that know me (and who else would be reading this) knows I don't need much excuse to digress.

Two more months or so remain on this contract, as it sits now I may look to move into Miami after this unless I hear of another O&M contract. (hopefully one that is a little bit busier than the one I am on)

Probably need to go find an optometrist and get a new set of contacts (or I might get brave enough for RK since Sharky is having it done soon)

Survived the Nor'Easter, thanks

2006-02-15T06:44:24Z

Still in Boston, or more particularly the PRC. I am living in Cambridge, but so close to Watertown that thats where I do everything. (Fresh Pond area for those familiar with the area)

Watched the snow come down Saturday, or more accurately watched it go *past* since it wasn't moving much horizontally.... I elected to watch it from inside. Had site assignments in town so I was forced to dig the car out on Monday morning. On nighttime call for the rest of the week due to some system upgrades. So far its tending to be like most "on call" periods, and I have been sitting home listening to my music library on random and playing about on the internet.

So far had two room-mates (or Flatmates for those who speak English funny) that were released from the market so stuck here all by myself until it changes. One went to Texas to work in the Ft Worth area, the other one went home for a while.

At least with the place to myself I am not keeping anyone up since I am sitting around waiting on the phone.

Back in Dallas..

2005-12-25T04:51:48Z

Just another bit of change...

I was expecting the Houston gig to end Friday, so its not a big deal. I thought I had a longer term contract pending in Boston, but it seems they already had people in mind for those postitions. No telling whats up next, rumours that there is a new phase starting in Dallas in early January are floating by -- as well as new Houston work starting in late January.

Also Tulsa and OKC are pending new projects as well, but no idea where the install process is up to. I mostly do Integration and "Operational and Maintainance" which is after physical install though I have done installs as well. It all pays the same... :) Gather there are a lot more resources to install than to do integration and O&M so unless its a combination install/integrate gig I tend not to get offered the install stuff.

Hope they have some work for me in the interim though. We shall see.

Another day in Houston

2005-12-09T15:26:48Z

This last weeks work has been a bit chaotic, with day and night work back and forth. Some integration work during the day, and E911 call testing at night. (basically driving around and making test calls from each lobe of cell sites -- more time driving than calling) Finally back to a daytime schedule, and need to get out soon so that the maids can come in -- been sleeping in after working at night for the last few days. It was dragged out a lot more than it was supposed to be due to some misrouting and issues with the new network, pretty much par for the course in any technical endeavour. Felt a bit sorry for the one small town with a single 911 operator that was fielding most of those calls on the first night. She was a good sport about it, anyhow.

Haven't heard from the switch guys yet, so may be a slow day.

Next year looks like I may yet get shipped up to Boston, though there is also OKC and Tulsa on the horizon for phase 2 of the rollout. As is apparently typical, the official schedule is delayed and additional locations seem to be cropping up: San Antonio and Little Rock among them. Lots of work up on the east coast coming up over the next year as well, probably end up out there yet. You do meet a lot of new friends doing this sort of work, though its even worse than the military for shuffling you around. I definitely like this field better than the permanent job I gave up at Pitney Bowes.

Hopefully I make it back to Dallas this weekend and pick up mail and other items. Last two weeks ended up working instead and falling behind on the personals.

--

Another bill paid off, though I may slow down the pace a bit and build a new PC over the next month.